Friday, December 7th

Weekend What’s What: 12/6-12/9

by admin

This weekend, get into the holiday spirit! Go to a screening of the so-bad-it’s-good Star Wars Holiday Special, take in the New Standards Holiday Show, and get your holiday shopping taken care of at No Coast Craft-O-Rama and Sound Gallery’s “How Bazaar.” And there’s also tons of art to keep you occupied, not to mention the grand opening festivities of Union Station in St. Paul. So get in touch with your holiday cheer and enjoy the weekend!

xo, l’étoile

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6TH

“Star Wars Holiday Special” Screenings

@ Bryant Lake Bowl
810 W Lake St
Minneapolis

7 pm (6 pm doors) & 10 pm (9:30 pm doors) / FREE with toy donation

Look. It’s like this: there are two kinds of nerds in this world: those who’ve seen the Star Wars Holiday Special FOR REALS and those who just drop references to it without having to suffer through it, aka wimps. I’m in the first group, thank you very much, and furthermore not only saw it when it was actually on (thereby confessing how old I actually am) but also own it on videocassette (same). I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed all of it, but I’d also be lying if I said it was 100% awful. It’s the very epitome of the phrase “written by Bruce Vilanch” – full of shitty jokes, bad celebrity cameos (Bea Arthur! Art Carney!) and bright ’70s colors for no good reason. Eighty percent of it is Wookies growling at each other, sure, but then Bea sings and Jefferson Starship show up and do a super-great song and then a stoned-out-of-her-mind Carrie Fisher shows up braless and mumbles some shit and sings badly, and those parts are great. Seriously: it’s a must see, even as interminably bad as it is. I try to watch it every year. You probably should, too. -Jon Hunt

BONUS: Come to JägerCon: Sci-Fi Tuesdays at Clubhouse Jäger next week for their annual screening of the Star Wars Holiday Special! The screening begins at 10, preceded by live music from Cantankerous Folk at 8:30 pm. Plus it’s FREE and there are 2-4-1 drink specials before 10 pm.Click HERE for the Facebook invite.

Starting today, you can enjoy a weekend of pop-up programs at the MMAA. As part of the ongoing exhibit Painting the Place Between, this weekend will feature presentations by talented multimedia artists Nate Young on Thursday and Mike Hazard on Friday. Young will debut his new piece “Closing no. 2,” a performative piece that explores the juxtaposition of art history and religious ritual, while Hazard will showcase his video portrait and a cinema of stills made in the MMAA Project Space. Finish up the weekend with a community huddle on Saturday where you can check out one of the programs that covers your favorite topics and give feedback. Stop by and help shape future events while supporting local art! –Chelsea Streich

Independent record label Modern Radio hosts an evening of alternative acoustic tunes for their monthly Kitty Cat Klub gig. Dreamy and evocative Brute Heart, who scored the silent horror film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari over the summer, space out and explore instrumentation in an amazingly catchy and delightful way. “Modern violinist” David Gerald Sutton will be serenading with a seamless combination of traditional and contemporary pieces. Totally Gross National Product/Poliça’s Drew Christopherson DJs the evening with Brute Heart. -Chloe Nelson

Public Enemy w/ X-Clan, Monie Love, Schoolly D, Leaders of the New School & more

@ First Avenue
701 1st Ave N
Minneapolis

8 pm / 18+ / $25

Hip hop legends Public Enemy are bringing their politically charged music to the Twin Cities on Thursday to promote their latest release, The Evil Empire of Everything (the title says it all). Some younger folks might be surprised to know that Flavor Flav, a member of the group who launched another career via VH1 reality shows, was part of a revolutionary period in hip hop that redefined American political consciousness. Speaking of politics, the feminist in you will be excited for Monie Love. A British artist and MC, Love was a part of Native Tongues, a hip hop collective which featured the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah and De La Soul. Love’s musical career always had womanist musings. She was featured on both Latifah’s “Ladies First” and Adeva’s “Ring my Bell” and her lyrics consistently spoke to women’s – specifically black women’s – empowerment. So kids, spend the $25 and consider this your intro to Radical American History. I guarantee it’s cheaper than tuition. -Lizzy ShramkoClick HERE for the First Avenue site

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6TH

I AM MPLS

@ Varsity Theater
1308 4th St SE
Minneapolis

7 pm doors, 8 pm show / 18+ / $15-50

Don’t you want to give a big sloppy wet kiss to the intense creative energy coursing through the veins of our great city? Of course you do! Since you can’t actually do that, tonight’s blow-out event I Am Minneapolis gives you the chance to celebrate fashion, art, music, performance and the creative people that make the scene here in the cities so exciting. Happening Thursday, this comedy-cum-fashion-cum-live music extravaganza aims to promote interconnectivity and understanding between Minneapolis creatives – because what better way is there to do so than with a big ‘ol party? Live music will be provided by A. Wolf And Her Claws, plus Wants Vs. Needs DJ Espada will throw down. Clothing and accessories will be provided by local boutiques b. (a resale shop), Midnorth Mercantile, Drama, LEN and Atmosfere, and all the models are Minneapolis musicians, artists, entrepreneurs – the people who help make this city awesome. Come find even more reasons to love our fair city and show that you too are Minneapolis! -StaffClick HERE for the I AM MPLS site

OSO - photo by Corey Tenold

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6TH

“Team the Best Team” Doomtree Documentary Screening

@ St. Anthony Main Theatre
115 SE Main St
Minneapolis

9:15 pm / All ages / $7

Over the past year of nonstop touring in support of their 2011 album No King, the seven-member-strong hip hop collective Doomtree were caught in the act – through the lens of documentary filmmaker Chris Hadland. Released just in time for next weekend’s Blowout shows, the doc premieres tonight in all its glory. It’s said to offer an unprecedented look into the lives of the crew members and life on the road, including P.O.S.’s kidney problems, SXSW, broken fingers and live shows – good and bad. Can’t make it to the screening? The two-disc DVD is available for pre-order on Doomtree’s site. Bonus: All orders will receive a special customized bag of Doomtree microwavable popcorn. –Jahna Peloquin

Fuck embarrassment, tonight “guilty pleasure” is king. His queen: indecent head banging. Rock ‘n’ roll yer way down to Jager this evening as the lovely ladies of Lady Heat deliver another monthly installment of tunes in the vein of hard rock, hair metal and vintage head-thrashing butt rock for your throwback enjoyment. The night features drink specials and cheap beer, just like the rock gods would want, plus familiar faves spun on vinyl with classics from the heavy (Iron Maiden, Slayer, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest) the hairy (Van Halen, Cinderella, Poison, Telsa), the rebellious (Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Lita Ford), and so much more. Here we are, Lady Heat, rock us like a hurricane. -Juleana EnrightClick HERE for the Facebook invite

FRIDAY DECEMBER 7TH

“Art Formerly Known As Prints” Opening Reception & Sale

@ Highpoint Center for Printmaking
912 W Lake St
Minneapolis

6:30–9:30 pm (runs through January 6) / FREE

Style meets substance at Highpoint Center for Printmaking’s latest exhibition. As the only accessible, community-oriented facility of its kind in the Upper Midwest, Highpoint is a leader in their field. Advancing the art of printmaking by providing educational programs, community access and collaborative publishing opportunities, the center is committed to engaging the community with new and unique art. This Friday, the winter co-op exhibition Art Formally Known as Prints (catchy title right?) will bring together 29 artists and feature over 50 prints. Pick up holiday gifts for mom, pop and yourself, guilt-free, with a 20% discount at this special opening night event. –Emily Cain

The Binder Projects, an alternative exhibition space co-founded by Caroline Kent and Nate Young, plays host to an exhibition by L.A.-based artist Danielle Dean, Confessions on a Dance Floor. Her works explore language and meaning behind objects and people through diverse media of drawing, installation live performance and rhetorical devices. “Baby Girl,” the video compononent of the piece, is a dialogue between herself, her sister and her father set in the Houston suburb of Alief. Constructed from text taken from Nollywood, bell hooks, Radiohead and other news/pop culture references, the script’s ordered can be reconfigured since each statement is able to stand independently. The embedded separation of text and image create a rhetorical device of disruptive narrative providing a whole, deeper context of societal disenfranchisement. The show opens this Friday with a live performance at 8 pm. –Ryn Gibson

What do you call a rocking Minneapolis College of Art and Design open studio event that combines the work of over 50 international artists and designers with refreshments, performances and a party atmosphere? Well, apparently you call it FRANK. This weekend’s FRANK Open Studio event is a chance to see the work of 51 Master of Fine Arts students developing their practice in graphic design, comic arts, painting, drawing, illustration, animation, photography, sculpture, installation, performance, printmaking, furniture design and more. The event gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the creative environment, meet the artists in person and get a close-up peek into their artistic process. A 8 pm performance by MFA candidate John Keston’s local band DKO adds a kick to the evening’s festivities. Not your usual art event, FRANK is a hotbed of emerging talent that helps introduce the work of the next great crop of local artists. –Anthony Enright

Through her unique perspective on movement, choreographer Deborah Hay creates realms of nonlinear reality, filled with humor and surprise. She has been called a national treasure and been celebrated as one of the most innovative and unique voices in the field of dance. Though decidedly avant-garde, the vernacular of movements that Hay creates are so clearly motivated and coherent that the worlds they invent onstage are comprehensible and strangely satisfying. In a multi-part mini retrospective, the Walker is sharing Hay’s challenging work with Twin Cities audiences in a series of lectures, critic talks and exhibitions of some of the artist’s most revolutionary works. On Friday audiences can experience live performances of Hay’s Fire (2000) and No Time to Fly (2010) while on Saturday her deeply complex work As Holy Sites Go/duet (developed over the last two years) premieres as a duet for the first time (with a post-performance discussion). This survey of one of dance’s most fascinating figures is a must for anyone interested in the art of movement. -Anthony Enright

It’s a great weekend for art in St. Paul, thanks to some creative ingenuity and the inception of first annual Lowertown Holiday Bazaar! If you missed the fall art crawl, this scaled down studio frolic may be up your alley–and just in time to get some prime holiday shopping in. We don’t think we need to tell you how important “buying local” is, but we will: snapping up artist-made, one-of-a-kind pieces for the ones you love is a pretty cool thing…not to mention you’ll be putting food on an artist’s plate. Need we say more? In addition to perusing Lowertown’s famous art co-ops for holiday-related goodies, you’ll also be able to experience a handful of exhibits at favorites like AZ Gallery, the Black Dog Cafe, and, of course, air sweet air. ASA ringleader Cheryl Wilgren Clyne and Lowertown staple Alex Kuno will also debut their dual show at the gallery, We Have All the Time in the World. Though the two artists may have differing thematic directions, both have a knack for weaving vivid visual stories and genuinely piquing curiosity with their whimsical characters. Along with seeing new work by both artists, you’ll also see a fleet of collaborative pieces that blend Kuno’s charmingly dour folktales with Clyne’s cheerful and nostalgic imagination. –Kate Iverson

The staff at new, local arts and literary magazine Revolver agree on few things, one of them being “there is no formula for good writing.” Lacking any simplistic standard formula, they still produce simply good writing. What’s more complex is the subject matter, talent and their genre-breaking categorization. Even if you decide to order your copy online (where you can receive a 10% discount until Thursday), you should still stop by Eat Street to get cozily intellectual with a drink and the Revolver staff as it celebrates the release of its first print issue, “Oblivions.” The first 30 people to buy an issue from them at Eat Street on Friday will receive a comp ticket to “Confess,” their spring 2012 event. –Ryn Gibson

Family Closet exposes the tragedy and comedy of familial intimacy through a variety of mediums, including acrylic and lithographs. The work of featured artist Julie Sirek is inspired by globally pervasive violence against women and children and her own personal experiences of domestic abuse. Her piece “A Family Matter” is series of 30 homemade gampi dresses representing thirty Minnesota women who died in 2009 as a result of domestic violence. The dresses, like the stories of the women, are similar yet hauntingly unique, demonstrating the heart wrenchingly common thread (ahem) of domestic abuse. On the closing day of the show, December 20, Altered Esthetics will host an artists’ discussion from 5-7 pm. -Ryn GibsonClick HERE for the Altered Esthetics site

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7TH

“GIRLS: Fact + Fiction” Opening Reception

@ Light Grey Art Lab
118 E 26th St, Suite #101
Minneapolis

7-10 pm (runs through January 4) / FREE

From the respected and revered Frida Kahlo, Calamity Jane and Julia Child to bad-asses Tank Girl, Dana Scully and Barbarella, ladies of reality and fantasy have been blowing our minds since the dawn of time. This weekend, Light Grey Art Lab – Whittier’s innovative new art gallery – pays homage to a few of their favorite broads with a collaborative exhibit, GIRLS: Fact + Fiction, which includes work from over 100 artists both locally and across the world. Alongside the exhibit, Light Grey and the artists are offering an illustrated art book featuring portraits from the show. For a mere $25, it’s quite the steal, not to mention recently listed at one of the best holiday gifts under $50 by Vita.mn. –Juleana Enright

Welcome to designers, crafters, artists and obviously shoppers, the Holiday No-Coast Craft-o-Rama has just everything handmade and crafty. Brought to you by Crafters 612, this long-running show boasts some of the best local crafters and artisans in town. Whatever you are looking for or happen to find, this place offers from the unique like scented necklaces by tinyhands, to the cute like embroidery and plush playthings by Penguin & Fish and the quirky like accessories by BMF Jewelry. –Alexandra Katz

Poling and Munson, with Steve Roehm on vibes. That should be all we need to write to convince you to go, probably, but in case you need more: Christmas standards, originals, crazy covers, insane special guests (past years have featured Craig Finn and Jeremy Messersmith and Janey Winterbauer, among others) and the always gorgeous Fitzgerald Theater. Imagine A Prairie Home Companion if it wasn’t fucking boring. Or imagine one of those old-timey Western va-rie-e-tee shows as rendered by the coolest people you know. It’s somewhere smack-dab in the middle of that. And it’s definitely a must-see. -Jon Hunt

Yeah, so basically we have no problem with tribute bands. I mean, what the hell is music for if not to be played, right? If it just exists as dusty songs on old CDs, it’s not, to coin a phrase, a Living Thing. And that’s what tribute bands do: turn songs into living entities and breathe life into ’em, if they’re good (or butcher the fuck out of them if they’re bad). E.L.nO. are quite damn good, and their interpretations of ELO classics – which by the way, are better than you probably remember them if you haven’t listened in a while – are pretty faithful, and that’s no easy road. Plus: Afro wigs, which you’d expect from an ELO cover band (or a Fleetwood Mac one, for that matter). Tonight the band is playing two sets – that’s double the amount of ’70s awesomeness. So go. And while you’re at it, why don’t you give Discovery another spin, because it sounds like the FUTURE. –Jon Hunt

PBR wants to hypnotize you visually and audibly. Bring your own PBR-inspired artwork to display and watch RC implement their third piece of the day on a large canvass, while grooving with DJ Brian Engel of Hipshaker and Hotpants fame. Prior to their art submission party, the Rogue Citizen crew will create “PBR Pre Fixe” murals in both of the bathrooms. (Insert your own bathroom pun here.) Local bands Downstairs; I, Collosus; Me And My Arrow; Haphduzen and Bloodfolke will perform. Any echoingly empty bank accounts will be happy with the PBR and Lone Star Tall Boys on special. –Ryn GibsonClick HERE for the Facebook invite

Rogue Citizen

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7TH

Solid Gold Vinyl Release Show w/ Wild Belle & Moonstone

@ First Avenue
701 1st Ave N
Minneapolis

8 pm / 18+ / $12

Sounding like the work of one band rather than several schizophrenic entities, Solid Gold’s just-released followup to their 2008 debut Bodies of Water is a far darker, bleaker affair, still sporting a touch of dance floor blood-n-guts but bolstered by smoother, darker, more supple sounds and a decidedly chilly and angular sensibility. Eat Your Young is a slow burn, starting with the folkish acoustic strumming of “Shock Notice” before settling into the moody “Six Days.” In other words: if you’re expecting more of the same from Bodies, don’t. Eat Your Young is a lovely record, thrilling in places and hypnotic in others, and always highly melodic and listenable. It’s a logical and fascinating evolution, and a great step forward from indie-dance-pop into something more interesting/important than that. Opening tonight’s vinyl release show are synth-laden disco duo Wild Belle and Minneapolis’ own prog/R&B rockers Moonstone. BONUS: Check out the band’s brand new live video performance of “Elephants” for MN Original below. -Jon Hunt

What’s the pull of Lebowski? The Coen brothers’ 1998 stoner noir masterpiece has evolved from its initial misfire release into the biggest cult film of all time, the Dude (Jeff Bridges) and Walter (John Goodman) possibly their generation’s Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. The characters in this world of “Lost Angels” are dreamers of a bygone time, the idealism of that era bypassed by the self-obsessed “achievement” of men like “the Big Lebowski” (David Huddleston). Separating The Big Lebowski from any number of other farcical drug comedies or noir parodies is its cinematic excellence: the Roger Deakins lensing, Rick Heinrichs’ set design, the impeccable T. Bone Burnett-compiled soundtrack, and of course the great Roderick Jaynes’ editing. But its “relax, man” soul of dismembered toes, rug-peers, bowling pederasts and castrating techno pop nihilists with endlessly quotable moments delights in making fun of all serious pretentiousness, be it Gulf War allegory, class warfare, art that is “vaginal,” creative artists in iron lungs, and so on. The Dude is also our endlessly amusing Christ-figure, taking her easy for all us sinners in a ghostly world, and the film is now one of our chief pop religious texts, as mythic as Star Wars, but, you know, funny. There is sadness and pity for human life behind it all too, but in the Dude, the Coens and Bridges have created one of cinema’s most consoling characters, the Loser Redeemer. If you want even more new shit to come to light, check out The Niles Files‘ epic take on Lebowski. It’s just my opinion, man. –Niles Schwartz

The rowdy rap crew Get Cryphy is back and ready for more this Friday for their regular residency at First Avenue’s Record Room. Prepare to experience the bumpin’ beats of resident DJ darlings Jimmy 2 Times, Plain Ole Bill and Last Word as they break it down in the venue’s intimate haven. Arrive early to enjoy drink specials and partake in giveaways from Phenom and Familia. -Staff

The crate-digging Disco Devils haul out all their best 12″ vinyl every month to bring you Private Stock, a night of club hits and misses from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, from classic funk, R&B, and hip hop. Catch all the chart toppers, one hit wonders, underground classics and other musical gems culled from deep in the Disco Devils’ vaults. Best of all, it’s all on vinyl, the way music should be heard. -Danielle Morris

We aren’t ones to make judgments about people based on their spousal choices, but we would go and see Chicago-based DJ Collette this Saturday based purely on who she exchanged vows with. She is married to the kid from Rookie of the Year! Need we say more? Anyway, Collette is a house star in her own right who performs live vocals over DJ sets. She has made music for Motorola commercials and her own albums have topped the itunes House music charts. Showing her entrepreneurial leanings, Colette also launched Candy Talk, a fledgling record label. She will be playing alongside Girl E and Bryan Gerrard, two Minneapolis-based DJs/producers as part of the ongoing House Proud series. -Lizzy ShramkoClick HERE for the Facebook invite

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9TH

How Bazaar

@ Sound Gallery
414 3rd Ave N, 4th floor
Minneapolis

Noon-8 pm daily / FREE

This weekend the Sound Gallery hosts one of the coolest events to showcase art, music, crafts and wares, just in time for the holiday gift giving season. How Bazaar features over 30 vendors and live sets from over 18 DJs/musicians. It will be the best place to find some great deals on goods by local vendors, including felt slippers by Ina Grau, wearables from b. (a resale shop), Doomtree merch, vintage wares from Hill Valley Boutique and t-shirts from Minnesota Vice, as well as hair extensions by Jennifer Gullikson and Lucia Heinrich, concert photography prints by Erik Hess, local jewelry by Three Fine Pieces (aka the lovely ladies of Lady Parts), MinJo, Carrier Pigeon and more. There is also yoga massage and “Celebrity Mental Health Specialist Spyder Baybie Raw Dawg.” (Yeah, we’re not sure what that’s all about, either.) In addition to all the great vendor and artists there will also be some live performances through out the day by Fort Wilson Riot, Spyder Baybie, La Manchita, Botzy, I Hate Sports, Katy Morley, Grant Culter, Lizzo and OSO, plus more surprise guests and DJs Lady Heat, Solid Gold, Ander Other, Maggie Morrison, Mark McGee, Brian McDonough and Lady Parts. To top off ALL of that there will be free PBR at the event as well as well as bites from Dirty Donuts, Milf and Cookies and True Stone Coffee. Kids and Dogs are also welcome. –Danielle Morris

The third run of the acclaimed Artists in Storefronts project kicks off this weekend. More than 30 artists are participating in animating 20 underused storefronts around the Whittier neighborhood. A highlight is sure to be OUTLET, a performative festival series curated by multidisciplinary artist Jaime Carrera running eight Saturday nights spanning the run of the exhibition. From performance art to modern dance to dance theater to live music, OUTLET will feature the city’s most innovative artists, from local legends to up-and-comers; this Saturday’s kickoff event features experimental noise music from the provocative Transitional Species and Cock ESP. Also worth a look is an installation by Mary Jane Mansfield, which fills a vacant lot at 26th Street and Stevens Avenue with a “house with no walls” and a picket fence filled with the warm and bright colors of summer. View the image below for a map of the AIS locations. -Jahna Peloquin

This year’s Open Door 8 exhibition of non-member artists from all over the nation at Rosalux Gallery focuses on emerging, subversive artists and the resurrection of painting. Don’t think this will be a traditional exhibition, though. Juror Christina Chang states that she is interested in including a breadth of work, including installation, printed matter, and pieces that “gave [her] pause.” Chang draws on her experience in the curatorial department of the Weisman and as the new Curator of Engagement at the Minnesota Museum of American Art. With work from over forty artists, including recent Jerome fellow Jehra Patrick and snow photographer Andy Mattern, the show is a must-see for those interested in local and of-the-moment art. -Chloe Nelson

After two years, a glam $243 million renovation (it’s all historically accurate, mind you) and much anticipation, the Union Depot in downtown St. Paul is back in business. Reopening as a transit hub for commuters for the first time in over 40 years, the Union Depot is doing it up big. The celebratory day kicks off with opening remarks by public officials including Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Mayor Chris Coleman. From 10 am to 4 pm, activities for all ages include performances by artists from the Bedlam Theatre, doing large and small-scale performances, recreating historical moments and bringing the past to life. Throughout the day you can also check out the work of artists from the Saint Paul Art Collective, showcasing their latest in woodworking, glass, painting, photography and sculpture. The day winds down with a 5 pm showing of the modern Christmas classic, Elf, starring Will Ferrell. –Emily Cain

When RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race was first announced, we assumed that it would be a gathering of some of the biggest names in drag on the national scene (i.e., Varla Jean Merman, Joey Arias, Hedda Lettuce, Lypsinka, etc). One of the biggest (and funniest) is none other than our own Miss Richfield 1981. The homegrown diva/commedienne (and cultural ambassador for the friendly citizens and responsible merchants of Richfield, MN) has been seen on The Tonight Show, paying homage to Mary Richards on Today, shilling for Orbitz Travel and toured all over the U.S. with her wacky cabaret act (which The New York Post declared a must-see during her recent run in Provincetown). The Divine Miss R. returns this Friday to Illusion Theater for her annual Christmas show with a Mayan prophecy influence this year, promising “to celebrate the horror of the end times with uplifting musical numbers, colorful video productions, and a healthy heap of audience interaction.” Personally, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holidays/end of life as we know it! –Todd O’Dowd

Join the ever-inventive Ballet of the Dolls for two exciting performances this holiday season inspired by the same fairytale – in two very different versions. Opening this weekend is the classic (family-friendly) performance of Cinderella, inspired by the art of Charles Addams. Then beginning next weekend, leave the kiddos at home and check out SINderella, a unique and twisted version of the classic story set in a brothel where SINderella is forced to work for her stepmother. Take your pick or check out both – and be sure to take advantage of a special deal to get both shows for $15, available during box office hours only at the box office or by calling 612-436-1129. –Chelsea Streich

What is it with the Brits? Haven’t they done enough for both high and low culture, do they have to keep showing us up on the Ad front as well? We’re actually pretty glad the British Advertizing industry exists since it gives us one of the most consistently outrageous, compelling, innovative and downright entertaining presentations of the year, the British Arrow Awards. Helpfully presented by the Walker Art Center (which somehow lends what’s essentially 72 minutes of non-stop commercials a highbrow energy) the Arrow Awards celebrate the commercial creativity that elevates lowly ad into something approaching the sublime. Now in its 24th year, The Arrow Awards has become one of the great seasonal traditions of the Twin Cities. It is not to be missed. Screenings sell out with ridiculous speed, so we advise snapping up tickets ASAP. –Anthony Enright

Instead of logging on to Amazon.com this holiday season why not keep it local? Independent art gallery Soo Visual Arts Center is bringing original prints and paintings, jewelry and knitwear and just about anything and everything you could want to give or receive from local artists with their pop-up shop at 35th & Nicollet. With 50 plus artists including l’etoile faves Jennifer Davis, Allen Brewer, Pam Valfer, Scott Stulen, Caitlin Karolczak, Amy Rice, Nick Howard, Jaime Carrera and Alex Kuno, there is plenty of art and gifts to go around. -Alexandra Katz

Even though the official kick-off to the holiday season was just last week, you may find yourself already burned out from the hustle, bustle, and overall merriment. Balance out those overly joyous sentiments and stop by Lee’s Liquor Lounge for a Trashy Little Xmas Show. Drawing enthusiastic crowds to Lee’s since 1993, Trailer Trash has proudly earned a reputation as the Twin Cities’ premier honky-tonk band. This naughty but nice musical romp will bring you a healthy mix of holiday cheer and skeptical snark. Santa suit not required, but greatly admired. (Bad Santas have more fun.) BONUS: Bring the kiddies to the family-friendly version on Sunday. –Emily Cain

Billed as an “evening of mystery and allure,” the Minnesota Performing Arts Cooperative (MPAC) Absinthe Masquerade is a night of revelry filled with aerialists, body balancing and burlesque performances. Guests are strongly encouraged to don formal attire with masks an important element of the mystery theme of the evening (think Eyes Wide Shut though presumably with slightly less toplessness). With multiple DJ sets throughout the evening by Dachary Zoo, Acemalaysian, and Dr. Nemesis the vibe at the Rabbit Hole (the organization’s sprawling studio space) is sure to be as sexy as it is mysterious. –Anthony Enright

It’s a show of a different kind at the Arbor Lounge (formerly known as the Nick and Eddie Warehouse) in Loring Park on Saturday night. The Double Header Round Robin is a tropical-themed round robin event featuring eight diverse young Minneapolis bands. The event is set up with four bands at a time set up in a circle around the audience with each band takes turns playing a song, one after the other with no breaks, non-stop. The first set features the psych dance pop band UMAMI, electro spazz rockers Enola Gay, electronic world beat makers Vacation Dad and Maymok. The second set includes psych rockers Teenage Moods, punk explosion the Goondas, garage thrashers Nice Purse and Farms. Besides eight awesome bands, the night includes lots of awesome treats like free beer, margaritas, tacos and rad burgers. Sweet! –Danielle Morris

The much-touted librarian chic Prissy Clerks are releasing their first record at the 7th Street Entry. Reincarnated from the ashes of twee outfit Total Babe, the quintet isn’t afraid to distort their guitars, pour out their hearts, or highlight the pop (dare I say beachy?) side of rock n’ roll. Front lady Clara Salyer cuts a sharp lyric with whisper light vocals. Locals Alpha Consumer, the Jim Ruiz Set, and Nallo open. -Chloe Nelson

The Honeydogs are one of the Twin Cities’ most even-keeled bands. Their latest, What Comes After, is a terrific collection of well-written and well-played rootsy rock and roll music, just like basically all of ’em have been. They haven’t changed much in that time except to maybe get a little better and more sophisticated (love the horns and flutes and such on the latest one, very Band!), but it’s not like they pulled a Wilco and turned into Radiohead or did a trip-hop album or something. Which can be frustrating if you want dramatic development from your bands, but if reliability is more what you’re after (and believe me, it sometimes is for me!) they’re yer band. The songwriting is always great, the singing is better than great, and the band are a force to be reckoned with live. This show is their first in quite a while, so it’s a great chance to see them in an intimate venue. Opener Dick Prall is from Chicago and is definitely a like-minded soul, a great songwriter with a smart Elvis Costello-ish sound. -Jon Hunt

Love for the Beatles just keeps growing stronger and stronger. Case and point: tonight’s 33rd Annual John Lennon Tribute. You’d have to be one slimy bastard to not dig Mr. Lennon and all he stood for. As listeners and art appreciators, we were bestowed the privilege of watching a legend grow both musically, physically and transcendentally. This year, as part of Minnesota’s yearly tribute, enigmatic musician Curtiss A performers with “a little help from his friends” aka teenage folkie John Mark Nelson, alt punk jazz power trio Big Trouble and “electric-organified and country-fried” rock from Molly Maher and Her Disbelievers – a few artists whose brilliant Beatles covers can be found on the latest volume of the Minnesota Beatle Project Showcase. Enjoy the music, celebrate the dude and don’t forget to snag your copy of the Volume 4 release. -Juleana Enright

Oh, Canada. You might not know this, but Canada’s hardest-working super group is making a stop in Minneapolis this weekend. The Souljazz Orchestra provides a multicultural musical experience combining Soul Jazz, Afro, Latin and Caribbean rhythms with sultry trumpet melodies and sweet keyboard beats. Celebrating their 10th year together, the Souljazz Orchestra pushes the boundaries of soul, jazz and tropical styles with a fresh and original songs, unified by an underlying message of positive social change. Local band Brass Messengers will also take the stage, playing an eclectic range of originals and covers from around the globe – using all acoustic, unamplified brass instruments. -Emily Cain

What’s not to love about dressing in holiday garb and drinking for a great cause? This years Santa Crawl will benefit Toys for Tots – just make sure to bring a toy and you’ll get a free beer for your generosity. Enjoy a night of traveling from bar to bar while participating in drunken gift-wrapping, BLINGO, carol-oke and decorating XXX-mas cookies. Stops include O’Gara’s, The Liffey, Eagle Street Grille, Billy’s On Grand and many others. Come dressed in your favorite Christmas gear and support the cause! -Chelsea Streich

Isn’t it just Sigur Rós’ avant-garde nature to not just put out a new album (pft, anyone can do that) but procure a sensory explosion? For their latest project, valtari film experiment, the band approached an array of amazing filmmakers with the same modest budget and asked them to create a film based on whatever warped, beautiful, odd or brilliant imagery pops into their head while listening, set to the music from the band’s latest album, Valtari. From indie directors Ramin Bahrani and John Cameron Mitchell (best known for directing Hedwig and the Angry Inch), to Tel Aviv music video director Alma Har’el, the films are sure to evoke unique, individualized emotional responses and will most likely make you sob, at least once. This weekend, more than a hundred screenings of the valtari films will take place worldwide in seven continents alongside 16 commissioned fan-created shorts. Witness the screenings at the Ritz tonight with entrance music by “one of Minnesota’s most under appreciated electronic artists,” Dirty Knobs. Tickets available only in advance. Get yours here. Sigur Rós’ fans definitely do not want to miss this! –Juleana EnrightClick HERE for details and ticket info

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9TH

“MN Music Now & Then”

@ Triple Rock Social Club
629 Cedar Ave
Minneapolis

7 pm / 21+ / $5 advance, $8 door

Minnesotans go above and beyond when it comes to state pride. We’re talking about a deep and persistent love of e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g Minnesotan. From the beer (okay, sure, Surly has some great IPAs) to independent radio (and the Current is definitely top-notch), even down to the weather. But the
“Minneapolis Sound,” a new-wave, synth-ridden version of pop-funk made famous by Prince (and lesser famous by Morris Day and the Time) in the ’80s, is on a whole other level. “MN Music Now & Then” attempts to bring the Minneapolis Sound and the larger diverse history of Minnesotan music to the forefront Sunday night. Local bands including the Farewell Circuit, Martin Devaney and Savannah Smith will cover artists that have helped to create this soundscape – we’re talking Prince along with Bob Dylan, the Replacements, Hüsker Dü and the Jayhawks – all adding their own distinctive touch. Even better? All proceeds from the show will go to Vega Productions, a non-profit that infuses music into Minnesota schools. So proud Minnesotans, come one, come all, and help to keep Minnesotan music on the map for future generations so your kids can brag about it later. –Lizzy Shramko

Looking for you next favorite electronic-pop artist? Enter the unique talent that is Mousey McGlynz. The British-bred Mousey has recently teamed up with the Minneapolis video and production company, Whiteout Media and will be celebrating the release of her new music video, “Faith+1 (Sunday)”. This exciting event will also feature special guest DJ Sergei Finch along with a screening of McGlynn’s music video “Walked To The Water”. Snack on some good eats, drink excellent craft beer and enjoy the tunes. –Chelsea Streich